This is just something I thought of while I was listening to Chrisette Michele's new cd I don't own her song Your Joy or Avatar, but I thought it'd make a cute fanfiction
Katara watched her father across the table. This was the first time in a long time that Hakoda had had a chance to spend more than a day with his children without a dire threat over their heads since before the Fire Nation attacked. He, Sokka, Aang, and Toph were toasting the victory over Fire Lord Ozai with a cup of Iroh's special brewed fire lily tea.
"The best tea you'll ever taste," Iroh promised. "The flower only grows in the Fire Nation." Katara's gaze drifted to where Zuko was sitting. The young prince had declined a cup, choosing to sit pensively in a corner. The victory was bittersweet for him. On one hand, the war was over, his uncle would sit on the throne until Zuko turned 21, Azula and Ozai were gone, and best of all, he had a lead on where his mother might be. But Zuko had helped in his own father's death, something that didn't quite sit well with him. Feeling her eyes on him, Zuko looked up and gave Katara one of his rare smiles. Katara returned it, blushing and looked back to her father.
It felt like forever since she had seen her father look so light and happy. Katara remembered to a time before the war had touched them. Hakoda had a habit of taking his children out on morning walks before his chief duties took him away from home for the day. Katara lived for the morning when Sokka decided to sleep in rather than join his father and sister. On mornings like these, Katara studied her father's gait, trying to match his strides. When she got tired of half running to keep up with him, Katara would slip her small hand into Hakoda's lager one, reveling in the feel of his warmth.
Walk down the sidewalk Staring at your feet Wishing my steps were longer So by your sides I could keepHold your hand much bigger Never wanted mine to grow So I could always fit perfect Inside your palms just soNo one loves me just like you do No one knows me just like you do No one can compare to the way my eyes fit in yours You'll always be my father And I'll always be your joy
There were times when Sokka and Katara were left alone with their father when Gran Gran and their mother had to leave to deliver a baby, or see to the sickly. One particular night Katara remembered, a storm had settled over the village and the sounds scared the young girl and kept her awake. Hakoda heard her whimpers and stayed in the room with her. Katara rested her head on her father's stomach, trying to make her breathing match his. As she watched her father with Sokka and their friends now, as they toasted their victory again with more tea, Katara felt nostalgic for those days.
Lay me on your belly Nights when Mama wasn't home Lightning made me shiver And you never let me feel alone I tried to match your breathing Beating my little heart against yours Perfect were the nights we were sleeping I never want to end what we are'Cause no one loves me just like you do And no one knows me just like you do No one can compare to the way my eyes fit in yours You'll always be my father And I'll always be your joy
Katara's glance again slipped over to Zuko, a gentle smile spreading across her lips as she watched him observe the festivities around him. Zuko had held a special place in her heart since their first battle against Fire Nation agents after the prince joined the gaang at the Air temple. Katara was busy fighting off a particularly strong fire bender and didn't notice when one sneaking in from behind her. Zuko knocked her out of the way, taking a double blast from both benders at once. Katara stayed up for two days healing him, despite her companions' suggestion that she rest herself. She was so relieved when Zuko finally woke up that she threw her arms around him, then promptly passed out in his arms.
During the next few months, Zuko and Katara's friendship blossomed, turning gradually into something more. Katara settled the situation with Aang, telling him that while she did love him, Aang was like a younger brother to her. Aang was sad at first, but he had moved on with Toph's help. A year passed, and Zuko and Katara fell deeply in love. On the night before the final battle against the Fire Nation, Zuko asked Katara to marry him.
"Say yes!" Iroh shouted from the bush he was hiding in with Sokka, Aang, and Toph. Katara agreed of course and they told Hakoda shortly before the celebratory feast. Hakoda didn't say anything at first, but his eyes filled with tears, realizing the time he had lost with his daughter because of the war. Katara was a young woman now and preparing to start her own family. He liked Zuko well enough, but Katara could see the hint of resentment in his eyes when his eyes drifted to his future son-in-law.
One day he'll come on bended knee And ask my love away from thee And when I give my love to him He'll always have a place within One day he'll come on bended knee And ask my love away from thee
And when I give my love to him You'll always have a place within
Katara got up from her seat shortly before desert and walked over to Hakoda. The Water Tribe chief looked up at his daughter surprised. She wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"I love you, Daddy," she whispered to him. "You'll always have a place in my heart." Hakoda smiled and buried his face in Katara's hair.
"I love you too, my joy."No one loves me just like you do No one knows me just like you do No one can compare to the way my eyes fit in yours You'll always be my father And I'll always be your joy
A few months later, Katara sat at her vanity table in her room at the Fire Nation palace. The hair dresser had just left, and the maid who was to help Katara put on her wedding gown was due in at any moment. In just an hour, she and Zuko would be married and they would begin their life together, but Katara's mind was on the other man who held a huge piece of her heart. Her father was waiting down the hall for the ceremony to begin so he could escort his only daughter and youngest child. It has been difficult on both Hakoda and Katara because at the end of the night, Zuko and Katara would leave on their honeymoon and Hakoda would return to the Southern Water Tribe with Sokka. They wouldn't see each other for months and after the long separation they weren't ready to say good-bye yet. Katara forced back tears when she thought about the impending farewell to not only her father, but her brother also. She took a deep breath and jotted a quick note to her father.
….I love you, Father, and I'll always be your joy.
Well, there it is, my first Avatarfanfiction. Hope you like it. It's two in the morning and I'm acting like I don't have to get up in the morning so this is good night (ask me if I care that it'll probably be morning when you read this).
